US-based Excelerate Energy’s floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Explorer conducted the first commercial gas-up operation at Dubai Supply Authority’s (DUSUP) Jebel Ali LNG Import Terminal on August 31.
The FSRU gassed-up all five tanks of a 173,000 m3 LNG Carrier, in a 17-hour period.
The Explorer has 151,000 cubic meters of LNG storage capacity and is permanently moored alongside the jetty at Jebel Ali and can accommodate deliveries from ships as large as 263,000 cubic meters.
As part of Explorer’s recent upgrades, the vessel can now provide gas-up, cool-down, and loading services to LNG carriers. The FSRU was also upgraded to include an LNG bunker port to service small-scale LNG offtakers.
“DUSUP’s ability to utilize the FSRU for these operations will allow LNG vessels departing regional dry docks avoid having to travel significant distances to perform this required step in the LNG cargo cycle, making Dubai a full-service LNG hub,” the company said.
A second similar gas-up operation was completed a few days later on another vessel.